Apparatus for winding multiturn,single layer coils



United States Patent- [72] Inventor Robert J. Eminger Fort Wayne,Indiana [2]] Appl. No. 783,525 [22] Filed Dec. 13, 1968 [45] PatentedNov. 10, 1970 [73] Assignee Fort Wayne Tool & Die, Inc.

Fort Wayne, Indiana a corporation of Indiana [54] APPARATUS FOR WINDINGMULTITURN,

SINGLE LAYER COILS 23 Claims, 16 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl. l40/92.l, 72/66, 72/134 [51] Int. Cl. B2lf3/04 [50] FieldofSearch l40/l,92.l. 92.2; 72/66. 134; 242/80, 81. 82

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.396.033 lI/l92l Francis140/922 Primary Examiner-Lowell A. Larson .4norneyI-Iood, Gust, Irishand Lundy ABSTRACT: Apparatus for winding a multiturn, single layerprovided rotatable about the axis for winding a wire on the coil form ina fixed plane which is transverse to the axis and spaced from one of thecoil form ends. A wobble plate is provided having an aperture thereinfor receiving the distal end of the coil form, the surface of the platewhich surrounds the coil form defining a wire pushing surface. Thewobble plate is inclined with respect to the axis and faces in adirection toward the proximal end of the coil form and toward the flyer.The wobble plate is coupled to the flyer so that a rotary wobblingmotion is imparted thereto with respect to the axis in synchronism withrotation of the flyer. The positioning of the distal end of the coilform within the aperture of the wobble plate restrains the rotation ofthe wobble plate with respect to the coil form so that the wire ispushed. as it is wound, in response to the wobbling motion of the wobbleplate, longitudinally on the coil form toward the proximal end. thuspushing previously wound turns on the coil form toward the proximal endto form the single layer coil.

MM N5 10, 1970 Shet - INVENTOR ROBERT J. EMINGER ATTORNEYS Plfented Nov.10,1910 3,538,959

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31+ T E E .INVENTOR ROBERT J. EMINGER BYZ J Qwk, A 1% ATTORNEYS YAPPARATUS FOR WINDING MULTITURN, SINGLE LAYER COILS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention'relates generally toan apparatus for winding multiturn, single layer coils, and moreparticularly to an apparatus for winding concentric dynamoelectricmachine coils.

2. Descriptionof the Prior Art In U.S. Pat. application Ser. No.581,488ofGene Erickson, now US. Pat. No. 3,415,292, and thecorresponding Belgium Pat. No. 704,221, there is disclosed apparatus forwinding dynamoelectricmachine coils upon stepped coil forms which areadapted to be transferred, with the coils thereon, to another locationin cooperative relationship with the blades of coil insertion apparatus,such as that shown in US. Pat. No. 3,377,690 to the present inventor,and assigned to the assignee of the present application, so as to permitcoils to be transferred directly from the coil forms to the blades.

In US. Pat. application Ser. No. 640,156 of the present inventor andClayton L. Tyson, now US. Pat. No. 3,481,372, and assigned to theassignee of the present application, there is disclosed apparatus forwinding a plurality of concentric, multiturn single layer dynamoelectricmachine coils. That apparatus employs coil forms consisting of aplurality of spaced, parallel, elongated pins arranged in groupsrespectively defining concentric, coil-defining patterns with the wirebeing wound on a respective group of pins in a fixed plane and thenpushed, as it is wound, longitudinally on the pins so that previouslywound turns are likewise pushed longitudinally to form the single layercoil.

In US. Pat. application Ser. No. 813,798, filed Mar. 19, 1969 of thepresent inventor, also assigned to the assignee of the presentapplication, there is disclosed coil-winding apparatus suitable for usewith the apparatus of the type disclosed in the aforesaid Ericksonapplication and patent in which dynamoelectric machine coils aresuccessively wound at high speed upon the progressively smaller steps ofa coil form without requiring that rotation of the flyer to be stoppedbetween each step.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The coil winding apparatus of the typedisclosed in the aforesaid U.S. Put. application Ser. No. 640,l56required that rotation of the llyer be stopped while transferring thewinding operation to the group of pins defining the next largerconcentric coil. It is therefore desirable to provide coil-windingapparatus of the general type disclosed in said US. Pat. applicationSer. No. 640,156, and incorporating certain features of the apparatusdisclosed in said U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 813,798, for winding aplurality of concentric, multiturn, single layer coils at high speed,without stopping rotation of the ilyer when transferring from thewinding of one coil to the next.

The present invention in its broader aspects, therefore, providesapparatus for winding a multiturn, single layer coil, including coilform means for forming a coil and which is longitudinally elongated andwhich has a substantially uniform, coil-defining, transversecross-sectional configuration throughout its length, the coil form meanshaving opposite ends and a longitudinal axis. Means are provided forrotatably winding an elongated strand upon the coil form means in afixed plane transverse to the axis and spaced from one of the coil formmeans ends. Means are provided for pushing the strand, as it is wound,longitudinally on the coil form means, the pushing means having aperturemeans formed therein for receiving the coil form means, the pushingmeans surrounding the coil form means. The pushing means is inclinedwith respect to the axis and faces in a direction toward the one end ofthe coil form and toward the winding means. Means are provided forimparting a rotary wobbling motion to the pushing means with respect tothe axis in synchronism with the winding means, and means are providedfor restraining rotation of the pushing means with respect to the coilform means so that the strand is pushed, as it is wound, in response tothe wobbling motion longitudinally on the coil form means toward the oneend thereof, thereby pushing previously wound turns thereon to form thesingle layer coil.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide improvedapparatus for winding multiturn, single layer coils.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus forwinding a plurality of concentric, multiturn, single layer coils.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus forwinding a plurality of concentric, multiturn, single layer coils withoutstopping the winding operation when transferring from winding one coilto the next.

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention andthe manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the'inventionitself will be best understood by reference to the following descriptionof an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side view,partly in cross section, illustrating the winding and wobble plateassembly of one embodiment of the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus of the embodiment of FIG. 1, FIG.1 being taken generally along the line 1-1 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a side view, partly in cross section, and partly schematic,taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the pin arrangement, taken generallyalong the line 4-4 of FIG. 1, and further showing the relationship ofthe pins with the blades of coil insertion apparatus;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the wobble plate taken generally along the line5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D are schematic views, partly in cross section,illustrating the mode of operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view, partly in cross section, showing amodification of the flyer and wobble plate assembly of FIG. I;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary top view, partly in cross section, illustratinganother modification of the embodiment of FIGS. I. through 5;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side view, partly in cross section, illustratinganother embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side view, illustrating a further embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 111 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line ill-II of FIG.10;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, partly schematic, side view illustrating amodification of the wobble plate useful with any embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view in perspective illustrating a furthermodification of the wobble plate useful with any embodiment of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 1 through5 of the drawings, the coil-winding apparatus of the invention,generally indicated at '20 comprises flyer and wobble plate assembly 22,coil form as- 38, 40 and 42 are provided, each comprising six pinsrespectively arranged in patterns defining the configurations of thefive concentric coils 44, 46, 48, 50 and 52 which collectively form onepole of the two-pole motor. The inner group of pins 34 which form thesmallest of the concentric coils comprises pins 34- 34-2, 34-3, 34-4,34-5 and 34-6 which define the configuration of the smallest coil 44,and it will be seen that the remaining groups of pins 36, 38, 40 and 42are similarly arranged to define the configurations of the successivelylarger coils 46, 48, 50 and 52. Each of the pin assemblies 30, 32 has alongitudinally winding axis 54 with all of the pins being paralleltherewith.

Each of the pins has proximal end 56 and distal end 58, the proximal endof the pins being mounted on a supporting plate 60 and extending forwardtherefrom. Reference to FIG. 1 will show that each of the successivegroups of pins 34, 36, 38, 40 and 42 is progressively shorter in length.Thus, the distal ends of the progressively shorter groups of pins arespaced longitudinally apart by predetermined distance thereby to exposeportion 62 adjacent distal ends 58 of each successively longer group ofpins. It will be seen that each group of pins define a longitudinallyelongated coil form having a substantially uniform, coil-definingtransverse cross-sectional configuration throughout its length. Each ofthe pins, however, preferably has a very slight relief formed in itsouter surface, as by grinding, extending forward from its proximal ends56 approximately three-quarters of its overall length, in order topermit the coils wound thereon, as will be hereinafter described, to bemore readily pushed along the pins.

Flyer and wobble plate assembly 22 comprises a conventional flyer winder64 and wobble plate 66. Flyer 64 has hub portion 68 mounted on end 70 ofhollow drive shaft 72 and secured thereto for rotation thereby in anysuitable manner, as by suitable key 74. Drive shaft 72 is coaxial withaxis 54 and thus the flycr 64 is rotated by drive shaft 72 about axis54. Drive shaft 72 has external splines formed thereon, as at 76 and hascoaxial center opening 78 formed therethrough through which wire 80 froma supply 82 passes, as is well known to those skilled in the art. Flyer64 includes axially extending arm 03 having wirc guides 84 and 86thereon for guiding wire 80 to the winding location.

Referring additionally to FIG. 5, in the illustrated embodiment, wobbleplate 66 is circular and has flat wire pushing surface 88 facing pinassembly 30. The other side 90 of wobble plate 66 has support plate 92attached thereto, as by suitable screws 94. Support plate 92 is in turnsecured to annular flange portion 96 of stub shaft 98, as by suitablebolts 100. The flat wire pushing surface 88 of the wobble plate 66 isnormal to wobble axis 102, stub shaft 98 being coaxial with the wobbleaxis. Flyer 64- has a hub portion 104 secured thereto, as by suitablebolts I05. Hub portion 104 is coaxial with axis 54 and extends towardthe wobble plate 66. I-Iub 104 has cavity 106 therein coaxial withwobble axis 102. A suitable antifriction bearing R08 is seated in cavity106 and rotatably supports stub shaft 36.

Flat wire pushing surface 88 of wobble plate 66 has a plurality ofapertures or holes 110 formed therethrough arranged in the same patternas the pins forming pin assembly 30, 32 and respectively in axialalignment with the pins. The opening of holes H at flat surface 88 areslightly larger than the respective pins so as closely to receive distalends 58 of the respective pins. Holes 110 divergently taper outwardlytoward rear surface 90 of wobble plate 66, as indicated by dashed linesin FIG. I, and as clearly shown in FIGS. 6A through 6D, in order toaccommodate the wobbling motion of wobble plate 66 with the respectivepins extending therethrough, as will hereinafter be described.

Referring now to FIG. 3, mounting plates 60 of the two pin assemblies30, 32 are mounted on support assembly 112 for pivotal movement betweenlongitudinally extending winding positions, as shown in the solid lines,and downwardly extending unloading positions, shown in dashed lines at30a, 32a, the pivotal movement being shown by the arrows 114. Supportassembly 112 is in turn mounted upon support bracket 116 for rotationbetween a position in which pin assembly 30 is in cooperative windingrelationship with the fiyer 64 and wobble plate 66, as shown in FIG. 3,and a position in which pin assembly 32 is in cooperative windingrelationship. Support assembly 112 and pin assemblies 30, 32 may beindexed between their two winding positions by means of suitableindexing gear 118 driven by suitable drive motor (not shown) mounted onthe bracket 116.

A pair of spaced parallel rails 120 are provided (only one of which isshown) mounted on and extending rearwardly from drive assembly 26. Coilform assembly 24 is supported on rails 120 for movement between awinding position in which one or the other of pin assemblies 30, 32 isin cooperative relationship with flyer 64 and wobble plate 66, as shownin FIG. 3 in solid lines, and a rearward unloading position in which thedistal ends of the pins of the pin assemblies are spaccd away from wirepushing surface 88 of wobble plate 66. Means are also provided (notshown), as more fully illustrated and described in the aforesaidErickson application and patent, for moving coil form assembly 24downwardly, as shown by dashed lines 122, to a position in which pinassemblies 30, 32, in their pivoted positions 30a, 32a are respectivelyin intermeshing, coil-unloading relationship with fingers or blades 124of coil insertion apparatus 126.

Referring particularly to FIG. 4, it will be seen that pins 42-3, 40-3,38-3, 36-3, 34-3, 34-4, 36-4, 38-4, 40-4 and 42-4 are disposed on acircle, indicated by dashed line 123, having a center 130. It willlikewise be seen that pins 4-2-5, 40-5, 38-5, 36-5, 34-5, 34-6, 38-6,40-6 and 42-6 are disposed upon a smaller circle indicated by dashedline 132 having the same center 130. It will readily be seen that eachradially aligned pair of pins on circles I28 and 132 form sections ofthe respective coil lying generally on radials extending outwardly fromthe center E30. Thus, pins 42-3 and 42-5 form section 134 of coil 52lying generally on a radial extending outwardly from the center 130.Referring additionally to FIG. 3, when pin assemblies 30, 32 are intheir pivoted coilunloading positions 30a, 320, the center I30 of thetwo circles of pins 128 and 132 is coincident with the center of thecircular array of inserter blades 124, as shown in dashed lines in FIG.4, it being seen that the circle of inserter blades is concentric withand lies between the two circles of pins 128, I32. Thus, each of thesections 134 of the respective coil extends generally radially outwardlybetween a respective pair of inserter blades 124 so as to permittransfer of the coils from pin assemblies 30, 32 directly to inserterblades 12 as more fully described in the aforesaid U.S. Pat. applicationSer. No. 640,156.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, drive assembly 26 comprisesa frame having base plate 136, top plate 138 spaced above the baseplate, rear end plate 140, and spaced forward end plates 1142, 44.Externally splined drive shaft 72 is journaled for rotation in suitableinternally splined bearings 146, 148 respectively mounted in front endplates 142, 144, thus permitting axial movement of splined shaft 72,fiyer 64 and wobble plate 66, as shown by arrows 150, while permittingrotation of splined shaft 72 and flyer 64. Suitable internally splineddrive pulley 252 is mounted on splined shaft 72 between end plates 142,144 for rotating splined shaft 72 while permitting axial movementthereof. Drive pulley 152 is driven by pulley 154 and drive belt 156,pulley 154 being driven by timing shaft 158 and driving the pulley 152in a oneto-one speed relationship. Timing shaft 158 is in turn driven bysuitable variable speed drive motor 160 through pulleys 162,164 and belt166.

In the illustrated embodiment in which five concentric coils aresuccessively wound on pin assemblies 30, 32, it is required that fiyerand wobble plate assembly 22 be advanced in the direction shown by arrow168 from the position shown in FIG. 3 in solid lines to the positionshown in dashed lines 66a in four discrete steps. In order to providethis stepping movement in direction 168, and return shaft 72 and flycrassembly 22 to its initial position, block 170 is provided slidablymounted upon upper surface of top plate 138 and having portion 172extending downwardly through longitudinally extending slot 174 in topplate 138. Portion 172 of block 170 is connected to end 176 of shaft 72by hearing 178 which thus permits the requisite rotation of shaft 72.Portion 172 abuts shoulder 180 on shaft 72 and is secured in position bymeans of suitable nut ,182.'Thus, shaft 72 and flyer and wobble plateassembly 22 will be moved forwardly and rearwardly as shown by arrows150 in response to movement of block 170.

Fluid power cylinder 184 is mounted on top plate 138 and has its pistonrod 186 secured to flange portion 188 of block 170. Except during thereturn of block 170, shaft 72 and flyer and wobble plate assembly 22 tothe initial position shown in FIG. 3, cylinder 184 is actuated to urgeblock 170, shaft 72 and flyer and wobble plate assembly 22 toward thefinal position shown by dashed lines 66a. Movement in discrete steps isprovided by a pair of pivoted latching members 190 and 192 respectivelydisposed on opposite sides of block 170, latching member 190cooperatively engaging stops 194, 196 and 198 and latching member 192cooperatively engaging stops 200 and 202 formed in block 170. Latchingmember 190 is actuated between latched and released position by asuitable power cylinder 204, and latching member 192 is similarlyactuated between latched and released positions by a suitable powercylinder 206.

Referring additionally to FIG. 1, with latching member 190 engaging stop194, wobble plate 66 will be in its initial position as shown in solidlines. In this position, distal ends 58 of pins 34 are received incorresponding holes 110 in wobble plate 66. it will be understood thatwire guide 86 on flyer 64 winds wire 80 in plane 208 normal to the axis54. In the initial position of wobble plate 66, plane 208 intersects theexposed portions 62 of inner pins 34.

Actuation of cylinder 204 thereby to move latching member 190 to itsreleased position, shown in dashed lines 190a, results in movement ofblock 170, shaft 72 and flyer and wobble plate assembly 22 by cylinder184 in direction 168 until latching member 192 engages stop 200. In thisposition, wobble plate 66 has advanced to the position shown by dashedlines 66b in FIG. 1 in which distal ends 58 of the next group of pins 36are now received within corresponding holes 110 in wobble plate 66,winding plane 208 now intersecting exposed portions 62 of pins 36. Inlike fashion, actuation of cylinder 206 will move latching member 192 toits released position, as shown by dashed lines 192a, so that cylinder184 moves block 170, shaft 72 and flycr and wobble plate assembly 22 indirection 168 until latching member 190 engages stop 196, the wobbleplate 66 now being in the position shown in dashed lines 660 with thedistal ends of pins 38 being received in the corresponding holes and thewinding plane 208 intersecting the exposed portions 62 of pins 38. In asimilar manner, wobble plate 66 is moved to the position shown in dashedlines 66d with the distal ends of pins 40 received within thecorresponding holes, and finally to the position shown indashed lines66a with the distal ends of pins 42 received in the corresponding holes.

Referring again to FIG. 3, conventional turn counter 208 is providedenergized by conventional photoelectric pickup 210 in response torevolutions of timing shaft 158. Counter 208 is arranged to count thepreselected number of turns in each of the five coils. Counter 208 alsoprovides an early warning signal in output line 212, at a predeterminednumber of turns, such as four, in advance of completion of thepreselected number of turns in each coil. This early warning signalactuates motor control 214 to reduce the speed of variable speed i drivemotor 160 during transferring of the winding operation to the nextlarger set of pins.

Assuming now that block 170, shaft 72, and flyer and wobble plateassembly 22 are in their initial position, as shown in solid lines inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3, and that counter 208 has been set to provide thedesired predetermined number of turns in each of the five coils 44, 46,48, 50 and 52, the winding operation is initiated by means of a suitableswitch (not shown). At the predetermined number of turns in advance ofcompletion of the winding of first coil 44, a signal is provided in line212 which actuates motor control 214 to reduce the speed of variablespeed drive motor 160 from its higher winding speed, such as for example3,000 rpm. to a lower speed, such as 1,500 rpm. Upon completion of thefirst coil, a signal is provided in output line 215 of counter 208 whichenergizes a solenoid valve 216 to actuate cylinder 204 thereby to causecylinder 184 to advance flyer and wobble plate assembly 22 to a secondposition 66b for winding second coil 46. High-speed operation of drivemotor 160 is now resumed. At the predetermined number of turns inadvance of completion of the second coil, the early warning signal isagain provided actuating motor control 214 to reduce the speed of drivemotor 160. Upon completion of the preselected number of turns of secondcoil 46, a signal is provided in output line 217 of the counter 208which energizes solenoid valve 218. to actuate cylinder 206therebycausing cylinder 184 again to advance flyer and wobble plate assembly 22to position 660 for winding of third coil 48. In a similar fashion, athird coil is wound, flyer and wobble plate assembly 22 is advanced tofourth position 66d for winding of fourth coil 50, and finally flyer andwobble plate assembly 22 is advanced to the final position 6611 forwinding largest coil 52. Upon completion of the winding of largest coil52, both cylinders 204 and 206 are actuated to permit return of block170, shaft 72 and flyer and wobble plate assembly 22 to their initialpositions by cylinder 184. A signal in output line 220 is provided whichenergizes solenoid valve 222 to actuate cylinder 184, to move block 170,shaft 72 and flyer and wobble plate assembly 22 to a position in whichwobble plate 66 is located as shown by the dashed lines 662 in FIG. 1 sothat distal ends 58 of the longest pins 34 are free of correspondingholes so as to permit indexing of coil form assembly 24. The samecompletion signal actuates motor control 214 to reverse the direction ofrotation on drive motor for winding the next set of coils on pinassembly 32. Finally, indexing drive motor 224 is energized to locatethe pin assembly 32 in cooperative winding relationship with flyer andwobble plate assembly 22. When the indexing operation has beencompleted, cylinder 204 and 206 are deactuated and the actuation ofcylinder 184 is reversed thus moving block 170, shaft 72 and flyer andwobble plate assembly 22 in direction 168 until latching member engagesstop 194 with wobble plate 66 now returned to its initial position, asshown in solid lines, for winding the smallest coil on pins 34 of pinassembly 32.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 6A through 6D, it will be seen that wobbleaxis 102 of wobble plate 66 is inclined with respect to axis 54 which isthe axis of rotation of flyer 64. Wobble axis 102 preferably intersectsaxis 54 at a point substantially coincident with wire pushing surface 88of wobble plate 66, as shown at 226 in FIG. 1. It will further be seenthat rotation of wobble plate 66 is restrained by reception of distalends 50 of pins 34 in corresponding holes 110. It will thus be seen thatrotation of flyer 64 about axis 54 will, through the bearing 108, causea corresponding rotary wobbling motion of wobble plate 66 in synchronismwith rotation of flyer 64, as shown by arrows 228. Thus, rotation of thearm 83 of flyer 64 from the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 1 toits position shown in dashed lines at 83a will cause wobble plate 66 tomove, as shown by arrows 228, from its position shown in solid lines toits position shown in dashed lines at 66f.

Referring now to FIG. 6A, in which only pins 34-2, 34-4, 36-2, 36-4,38-2 and 38-4 are shown, with wobble plate 66 in itsinitial position, itwill be seen that distal ends 58 of longest pins 34-2, 34-4 are receivedwithin corresponding openings 110-1, the distal ends of the remainingpins being spaced from the wire pushing surface 88. It will further beseen that the winding plane 208 intersects axis 54 adjacent intersection226 of axis 102 therewith, and that winding plane 208 also intersectsexposed portion 62-1 of pin 34-4. In this position, free end 230 of wire80 may be secured, as by being wrapped around pin 34-4, as shown.

Referring now to FIG. 6B, flyer 64 is shown as being rotated about axis54 in the direction shown by arrow 232 by one-half turn. Wobble plate 66remains in its initial position, but has been wobbled to its position66f, as shown. Thus, one side 44a of inner coil 44 has been formed aboutpins 34-2 and 34-4. It will be observed that winding plane 208 nowintersects exposed portion 62-2 of pin 34-2, and that the wobblingmotion of wobble plate 66 has pushed starting end 230 of the wire on pin34-4 in the direction shown by arrow 234.

Referring now to FIG. 6C in which wobble plate 66 is still shown in itsinitial position, it will be seen that during each one-half revolutionof flyer 64 and its arm 83, wobble plate 66 by virtue of the wobblingmotion imparted thereto by rotation of the flyer, is in essence pivotedabout point 226 from the position shown in the FIG. 6A to its positionshown in FIG. 68, thereby continuously providing clearance for the wireto be wound upon the exposed portions of the pins and at the same timepushing the wire longitudinally on the pins in the direction shown byarrow 234 toward mounting plate 60, thereby pushing the previously woundturns longitudinally in that direction so as to form the single layercoil. Thus, each side of a coil just wound is pushed longitudinally indirection 234 while the diametrically opposite side is being wound.

Referring now to FIG. 6D, wobble plate 66 is shown advanced to itssecond step 661) in which distal ends 58 of the next shorter pins 36-2,36-4 are now received in holes 110-2, pins 34-2 and 34-4 projectingthrough holes 110-1, as shown. It will now be seen that winding plane208 intersects exposed portion 62-3 ofpin 36-2 so that continuedrotation of flyer 64 and the corresponding synchronist wobbling motionof wobble plate 66 will result in winding of coil 46 upon pins 36-2,36-4, concentrically surrounding the previously wound coil 444.

Referring now to FIG. 7 in which like elements are indicated by likereference numerals, it will be seen that the throw or amount of annulartravel of wobble plate 66 is much greater adjacent its outer peripherythan adjacent axis 54. It will further be understood that a certainminimum amount of throw or travel, [.e. a distance equal to at least thediameter of the wire being wound, is required in order to move a coilside longitudinally in direction 234 sufficiently to provide space forwinding the next coil side. However, in the case of long large coils,provision of the requisite throw or travel for the smaller coils mayprovide successive throw or travel for the larger coils. Thus, it may bedesirable to provide for selective adjustment of the angle ofinclination of wobble axis 102 with respect to axis 54 which, in turn,will vary the angle of inclination of wire pushing surface 88 withrespect to axis 54 and thus the throw or amount of travel adjacent theouter periphery of wobble plate 66. Here, bearing 108 is mounted in amovable member 236 having arcuate surface 238 with its center at point226. Member 236 is in turn mounted in hub portion 241) of flyer 64 whichhas a corresponding arcuate groove 242 formed thereinfA plurality ofdetent notches 244 may be provided in arcuate surface 238 of member 236which are selectively engaged by suitable set screw 246. Hub portion 240is secured to hub portion 104 as by suitable bolts 248. It will now bereadily seen that the angle ofinclination of wobble axis 102 withrespect to axis 54 may be readily selectively adjusted by rotation ofmember 236 within member 240, the desired angle being retained by meansof set screw 246. It will be readily understood that adjustment of theangle may also be provided by means ofa suitable worm and geararrangement rather than by means of set screw 246.

Referring now to FIG. 8 in which like elements are indicated by likereference numerals, it will be seen that when flyer and wobble plateassembly 22 is retracted to its rearmost position 66s in order to permitindexing of coil form assembly 24, as above described, and also when thecoil form assembly is moved from its winding position to its unloadingposition, the pins of one or the other of pin assemblies 30, 32 are nolonger received within holes 110 in wobble plate 66, thus removing therestraint against rotation of the wobble plate. In order to insure thatwobble plate 66 is at all times restrained against rotation and thusthat the respective holes 110 remain in axial alignment with the pins,the arrangement now to be described may be provided.

Yoke member 250 is provided having a hub portion 252 with bearing 254journaled on portion 256 of shaft 72. Hub portion 252 abuts hub portion68 of flyer 64 and shoulder 258 on splined portion 76 of shaft 72 andthus, yoke 250 will be moved in the direction shown by arrows 150 alongwith flyer and wobble plate assembly 22 by movement of block 170 andshaft 72, while permitting rotation of the shaft and flyer and wobbleplate assembly. Yoke 250 has a pair of diametrically opposite forwardlyextending arms 260, 262 with flyer and wobble plate assembly 22 beingdisposed within the arms as shown. Arms 260, 262 respectively havebearing portions 264, 266 which are slidably journaled upon rails 268,270 mounted on and extending forwardly from end plate 144 of driveassembly 26.

Arms 260, 262 respectively have radially inwardly extending portions272, 274 and a pair of diametrically oppositely disposed pins 276, 278respectively mounted on and extend rearwardly from the inner extremitiesof portions 272, 274,

respectively parallel with axis 54. Pins 276, 278 are respectively inaxial alignment with diametrically opposite holes 230, 282 adjacent theperiphery of the wobble plate 66. The length of pins 276, 278 is suchthat one of the pins is at all times received within a hole 280, 282,while the other is spaced axially from wobble plate 66, as at 284 inorder to permit wire 86- being wound to pass therebetween. It will thusbe seen that wobble plate 66 is at all times restrained against rotationby one or the other of pins 276, 278, thus maintaining the pinreceivingholes 110 respectively in alignment with the pins of pin assemblies 30,32 when the pin assembly is removed from its winding position, as shownin FIG. 8.

Referring now to FIG. 9, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 8, pinassemblies 30, 32 are held in fixed relationship with respect to theframe while flyer 64 is rotated, thereby to wind a wire thereon, andwobble plate 66 is coupled to the flyer which thus imparts a rotarywobbling motion thereto about the wobble axis. In the embodiment of FIG.9, in which like elements there again indicated by like referencenumerals, the pin assembly and wobble plate are respectively mounted forrotation about axis 54- and wobble axis 102 with wire thus being wounddirectly upon the pins by winding assembly 286 which is held in fixedrelationship with respect to the frame. Thus, in the simplified formshown, in which only two pins 288, 290 of a single group of four pinsforming a rectangular coil are shown, pins 288, 290 have their proximalends mounted on mounting plate 292 which, in turn, is mounted on shaft294 coaxial with axis 54. Shaft 294 is rotatably supported by suitablebearings 296 and frame portion 298. Shaft 98 of wobble plate 66 is againcoaxial with wobble axis 102 and is rotatably supported by suitablebearings 360 mounted in frame portion 302. In the illustratedembodiment, suitable pulley 304 driven by drive belt 306 is mounted onshaft 98 and thus rotates shaft 98 and wobble plate 66, as shown byarrow 308. With the distal ends of pins 288, 296 received within holesin wobble plate 66, rotation of shaft 98 and wobble plate 66 will inturn impart rotary motion to pin assembly 310 and shaft 294 in themanner of a universal joint. It will be readily apparent that shaft 294may be driven rather than shaft 98.

The winding assembly 286 includes conventional wire source 312, such asa wire spool, and wire guide 324, shown as being a pulley, for guidingthe wire to the winding plane for winding upon pins 238, 2%. Wire spool312 and wire guide 314 are mounted in fixed relationship with respect tothe frame by a support, schematically shown at 316. As in the case ofthe previous embodiment, the winding plane intersects axis 54 adjacentthe intersection of wobble axis 102 therewith, which is preferablysubstantially at the front surface 83 of the wobble plate. It will nowbe seen that rotation of pin assembly 310, as above described, willresult in winding coil 3% thereon. It will further be seen that byvirtue of the inclination of the wobble axis 102 with respect to theaxis 54, rotation of 9 wobble plate'66 about axis'Wwill result in theaforesaid wobbling motion of wobble plate 66 with respect to pins 288,2.90 so that wire 80 is again pushed longitudinally on the pins indirection 234, as it is wound, thus pushing previously wound turns onthe pins in that direction so as to form the complete single layer coil.

The embodiment shown in FIG. '9 is particularly useful where itisdesired to wind several wires in parallel without imparting a twistthereto. It will be seen that two or three wires may be payed out from acorresponding number of wire spools 312 through respective wire guides314 and wound in parallel upon the pin assembly 310 without twisting thewires.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and III, while the coil forms of the previousembodiments have been shown as consisting of a plurality of elongatedpins disposed in a pattern to form a coil having the desiredconfiguration, it will be readily apparent that a solid cross sectioncoil form 320 may be employed having its distal end received withincorresponding hole 322 in wobble plate 66. It will further be readilyunderstood that the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and Il may be employed withthe rotating flyer arrangement of FIGS. I through 5, and also in thearrangement shown in FIG. 9.

Referring now to FIG. 12, while wire pushing surface 88 of wobble plate66 of the previous embodiments has been shown as being substantiallyflat, it will be readily understood that the wire pushing surface may beconvexly-or concavely curved. Thus, in FIG. 12, wobble plate 66 is shownas having convexly curved wire pushing surface 324.

It will also be understood that'while in the embodiment of FIGS. Ithrough 5, flyer and wobble plate assembly 22 are moved axially inorderto form the successively larger coils, the pin assembly 30 mayalternatively be moved axially by suitable means such as hydrauliccylinder 326.

Referring now to FIG. I3, while wobble plate 66 of the previousembodiment has been shown as having an extended area wire pushingsurface 88 or 324, it will be readily apparent that the wobble plate maybe formed as a grid or mesh 328 with its forward surfaces 330 defined bythe mesh thus forming the wire pushing surface and with pin 332 beingreceived in the openings in the mesh, as shown.

While the coil form assembly 24 has been shown as incorporating two pinassemblies for forming the concentric coils of a two pole motor, it willbe readily understood that the coil form assembly may include fourorsix-pin assemblies for winding the coils ofa fouror six-pole motor.

While there have been described above the principles of this inventionin connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understoodthat this description is made only by way of example and not as alimitation to the scope of the invention.

I claim:

I. An apparatus for winding a multiturn single layer coil including coilform means for forming said coil, said coil form means beinglongitudinally elongated and having a substantially uniformcoil-defining, transverse cross-sectional configuration throughout itslength, said coil form means having opposite ends and a longitudinalaxis: means for rotatively winding an elongated strand on said coil formmeans in a fixed plane transverse to said axis and spaced from one ofsaid'ends; means for pushing said strand, as it is wound, longitudinallyon said coil form means, said pushing means having aperture means formedtherein for receiving said coil form means, said pushing meanssurrounding said coil form means and being inclined with respect to saidaxis, said pushing means facing in a direction toward one end of saidcoil form means and toward said winding means; means for imparting arotary wobbling motion to said pushing means with respect to said axisin synchronism with said winding means; and means for restrainingrotation of said pushing means with respect to said coil form meanswhereby said strand is pushed, as it is wound, in response to saidwobbling motion longitudinally in said direction on said coil form meansthereby pushing previously wound turns thereon in said direction to formsaid coil.

2. The apparatus of claim I wherein said restraining means comprises amating configuration of said coil form means and said aperture means.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said coil form means comprises aplurality of spaced elongated pins respectively parallel with said axis,said pins being arranged in a pattern defining said configuration, saidaperture means comprising an aperture for each of said pins.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pushing means has alongitudinal wobble axis which is inclined with respect to saidfirst-named axis.

5. The apparatus of claim l wherein said wobble axis intersects saidfirst axis substantially at its intersection with said pushing means,said plane intersecting said first axis adjacent the intersection ofsaid wobble axis therewith.

\ 6. The apparatus-of claim 4 further comprising a supporting frame,first means for mounting said coil form means in fixed relationship withrespect to said frame during the winding of said coil, said wobblingmotion imparting means comprising second means for mounting said pushingmeans for rotation of said wobble axis about said first axis.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said second mounting means isoperatively coupled to said winding means and driven thereby.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said winding means comprises a flyermounted on said frame for rotation about said first axis, said secondmounting means comprising means for rotatably coupling said pushingmeans to said flyer.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said second mounting means includesa shaft coaxial with said wobble axis, said coupling means comprisingbearing means connected to said flyer for rotatably supporting saidshaft.

10. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising a supporting frame,first means for mounting said coil form means on said frame for rotationabout said first axis, said wobbling motion imparting means comprisingsecond means for mounting said pushing means on said frame for rotationabout said web ble axis, drive means coupled to one of said coil formand pushing means for rotating the same thereby rotating the other ofsaid coil forms and pushing means through said restraining means, andmeans for mounting said winding means'in fixed relationship with respectto said frame.

11. The apparatus of claim I wherein said pushing means comprises aplate member having one side thereof defining a pushing surface.

I2. The apparatus of claim Ill wherein said one end of said coil formmeans is a proximal end and the other end is a distal end, and furthercomprising means for supporting said proximal ends, said one side ofsaid plate member having said aperture means formed therein forreceiving said distal end of said coil frame means.

13. The apparatus of claim I2 wherein said one side of said plate memberis substantially flat, said plate member having a wobble axis which isinclined with respect to said first-named axis, said one side beingnormal to said wobble axis, said wobble axis intersecting said firstaxis substantially at its intersection with said one side, said planeintersecting said first axis adjacent the intersection of said wobbleaxis therewith, and further comprising a supporting frame, means formounting said supporting means in fixed relationship with respect tosaid frame during the winding of said coil, said winding meanscomprising a flyer mounted on said frame for rotation about said firstaxis, means cperatively connected to said flyer for rotating the same,said wobbling motion imparting means comprising bearing means formounting said plate member on said flyer for rotation of said wobbleaxis about said first axis in response to rotation of said flyer and insynchronisrn therewith.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said wobbling motion impartingmeans further comprises a shaft mounted on the other side of said platemember coaxial with said wobble axis and extending outwardly therefromin the direction opposite said first-named direction, said bearing meansbeing connected to said flyer and rotatably supporting said shaft.

25. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said coil form means comprises afirst plurality of spaced elongated pins respectively parallel with saidaxis, said first pins being arranged in a first pattern defining theconfiguration of a first coil, a second plurality of spaced elongatedpins respectively parallel with said axis, said second pins beingarranged in a second pattern defining the configuration of a second coilconcentric with and surrounding said first coil, said one end of saidcoil form means comprising proximal ends of said pins, the other ends ofsaid pins being distal ends, and means for mounting the proximal ends ofsaid pins, the distal ends of said first pins being spacedlongitudinally outwardly from the distal ends of said second pins by apredetermined distance thereby exposing portions of said first pins, andfurther comprising means for longitudinally moving one of said pushingmeans and coil form means relative to the other parallel with said axisbetween first and second positions, the distal ends of said first pinsbeing received in said aperture means in said first position with thedistal ends of each second pins being spaced from said pushing means andwith said plane intersecting said exposed portions of said first pinsonly thereby to form said first coil on said first pins, the distal endsof both said first and second pins being received in said aperture meansin said second position with said plane intersecting both said first andsecond pins thereby to form said second coil on said second pins.

R6. The apparatus of claim wherein said moving means moves said pushingmeans between said first and second positions.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said winding means comprises arotatable fiyer, and further comprising a shaft concentric with saidaxis and operatively connected to said flyer for rotating the same, saidwobble motion imparting means comprising means rotatably coupling saidpushing means to said flyer for imparting said wobbling motion theretoin response to rotation of said flyer and in synchronism therewith,drive means for rotating said shaft, said moving means comprising meansoperatively coupled to said shaft for moving the same and said flyer andpushing means between said first and second positions.

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said moving means comprises a memberoperatively coupled to said one of said pushing means and coil formmeans and movable therewith, means for normally urging said member andsaid one means to said second position, and selectively actuablelatching means cooperating with said member for holding the same andsaid one means in said first position.

1Q. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a frame, saidrestraining means comprising means coupled to said frame for alternatelyengaging and disengaging diametrically opposite portions of said pushingmeans in response to said wobbling motion thereof, said restrainingmeans and winding means being rotationally related so that said strandas it is being wound passes said restraining means when disengaged fromsaid pushing means,

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said one end of said coil formmeans is a proximal end and the other end is a distal end, and furthercomprising means for mounting said proximal end on said frame formovement between a winding position with said distal end received insaid aperture means, and another position with said distal end spacedfrom said pushing means, said engaging means retaining said pushingmeans with said aperture means in longitudinal alignment with said coilform means when in said other position thereof.

Zn. The apparatus of claim 2t wherein said winding means comprises arotatable flyer, a shaft coaxial with said axis and operativelyconnected with said flyer for rotating the same, said wobbling motionimparting means comprising means operatively coupling said pushing meansto said fiycr for imparting said wobbling motion in response to rotationof said flyer and in synchronism therewith, said coil form meanscomprising a first part for forming a first coil and a second part forforming a second coil coaxially surrounding said first coil, the distalend of said first part being spaced longitudinally outwardla' from thedistal end of said second part by a predetermine distance therebyexposing a portion of said first part, and further comprising meansoperatively coupled to said shaft for longitudinally moving the same andsaid ilyer and pushing means between first and second positions, saiddistal end of said first coil form means part being received in saidaperture means in said first position with said distal end of saidsecond part being spaced from said pushing means and with said planeintersecting said exposed portion only thereby to form said first coil,the distal ends of both of said parts being received in said aperturemeans in said second position with said plane intersecting both of saidparts thereby to form said second coil, said restraining meanscomprising a member having a first portion journaled on said shaft, saidmember being movable with said shaft between said positions thereof,said member having means coupling the same to said frame for restrainingrotation of said member, said member having a yoke portion extendinglongitudinally toward coii form mounting means, said flyer and pushingmeans being disposed within said yoke portion, said engaging meanscomprising a pair of diametrically oppositely disposed parts mounted onsaid yoke member, one at said parts engaging said pushing means whilethe other is spac -d longitudinally therefrom, said plane passingthrough said spa e between said other engaging means part and saidpushing mt .ns.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 iurther comprising means for selectivelyvarying the angle 0' inclination of said pushing means with respect tosaid axis.

23. The apparatus of claim wherein said pushing means has a wobble axiswhich is incli red with respect to said firstnamed axis, said windingmean comprising a flyer mounted for rotation about said first atis. :aidpushing means having a shaft coaxial with said wobble :is, said wobblemotion iinparting means comprising bearing means for rotatablysupporting said shaft, said varying ncans comprising means for mountingsaid bearing mean. .lld fiyer for selective adjustment of the angle o'-'lnC llllt 'it said shaft with respect to said first axis.

